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By Liam Hatton

This article was originally going to talk about last weekend’s defeat to Wigan Athletic, before I decided to start again. It hit all of the notes you would have expected: Bolton didn’t turn up for a big derby... again. Bolton were outfought and outmuscled against Wigan... again.

However, there is a huge elephant in the room that needs addressing, and it is probably a perfect example of Public Relations 101.

There are two main talking points that extend beyond ‘that’ display last Saturday: Sharon Brittan’s statement backing Ian Evatt and consequently a snippet of Evatt’s pre-Wycombe interview which has gained traction on social media.

Let’s start with Sharon, who re-iterated hers and the club’s support for Evatt, alongside the job he is doing and has done in the past. She spoke about the long term model in place, mentioning loyalty and continuity, which is a rare sight in today’s game.

The buzzwords were in there about ‘community’, ‘coming together’ and ‘achieving the ultimate goal of promotion.’ Now, I have no issue with her making the statement because she knew how it would be received regardless. That is her genuine opinion on the current state of affairs and as custodian of the club, she can do so.

We do not have to like it as fans, as it is obvious the majority feel it is time for a change, but we can either accept it or just decide enough is enough and find some other way to occupy our Saturdays.

Of course, the majority of fans will still be there. They will cheer when Bolton score and will be as vocal as ever. A few may just decide to stay away while Evatt remains - which again is their right just as much as it was for Sharon to voice her opinion.

Now, to Evatt’s comment via BBC Radio Manchester which has caused a stir, and I quote: “It's great I've got the backing of the people that matter.”

Sometimes a topic may seem binary. It can be black and white, or good and bad. However, context is equally important and I feel some of that is needed here. Could he have worded it better? Of course, but has there been an overreaction? Perhaps that is true also.

You can look at it two ways I suppose - either Evatt has just gone all guns blazing and truly does not care how his comments are perceived with the knowledge that the fanbase has turned. We know he is a proud man who has always backed himself.

On the flip side, maybe he is happy to absorb all of the criticism in order to divert some of the attention away from his squad. He even referred to the heat and flack he is taking as manager.

One thing is for sure, the club have had better weeks in terms of getting the fans on board. It is not that club have necessarily done anything ‘wrong’ by backing Evatt, it just isn’t what the majority want to hear.

Maybe Evatt will get Bolton promoted and those who wanted him out will be eating humble pie. If so, certain fans would happily accept that with contrition.

However, sometimes less is more - as in less talking and more doing. There’s only one way in which Evatt can win his doubters back, and it doesn’t involve him talking about his win percentage.

Christmas List

by Lee Sidebotham

The Wigan defeat was tough to take (Image: CameraSport - Alex Dodd) It’s the time of year we look back and be thankful for everything we have, and I’m truly grateful for a year filled with countless memories both on and off the pitch. But there’s also a lot on my wish list this year.

I wish that we’re more up for it in big games. Maybe I’m still not over the defeat last Saturday. Evatt should have told our players to get stuck in for the first 15 minutes and set a game plan from there for the rest of the match. That’s exactly how Wigan approached us, and it worked. Instead, we went in trying to control the tempo which was never going to work. Only when you’re in control of the score can you take control the game.

This is something we should have learnt a long time ago. I think the problem a lot of fans have is the way we lose games, rather than the loss itself. We had five minutes of good play at the start of the second half and that was it. We never once looked like we were going to win and unfortunately in big games this year that’s become the standard.

I wish we stop insisting on playing out from the back. It seems like no matter the opposition we play or position we find ourselves in during a game, we always must play this way. We’ve shown time and time again that it just doesn’t work, especially when we’re playing against teams stronger than us. I’m not saying I wish for Parky ball to return, but playing his way against some teams, Birmingham and Arsenal come to mind from this year, is a no brainer.

I wish we start becoming proactive rather than reactive. Look at the difference radical tactical changes made against Mansfield recently - bringing on Tutu, Williams, Charles and Lolos refreshed our team with energy and new ideas. Suddenly, we found more opportunities up front and took them.

I wish we bring Aaron Morley and Dan Nlundulu back in January. Morley has been a regular for table topping Wycombe, while Nlundulu has been tearing it up recently for Cambridge alongside Elias Kachunga. Dan would be our second top scorer right now and imagine how many more he’d have in a stronger line-up.

Most importantly, I wish for that togetherness we seem to have lost. Sure, we’ve not had much to cheer about recently, but even at the very start of the Wigan game there was just no atmosphere. It didn’t really feel like derby day in the stands. While things may currently look a bit rubbish, it’s not as bad as we all think. Just look at where we were five years ago. Also, look at where clubs like Reading and Morecombe currently find themselves.

I wish some fans would remember that.

No more ambiguity - but an unpopular call

By James Scott

I haven’t ever really been in doubt that Ian Evatt would be given the whole season to try and lead Bolton after the play-off final humiliation in May. In the ultimate game of ‘stick or twist’, the board backed Ian Evatt into this year’s campaign with funds.

However, it was always going to be the case that a slow start would irritate a fanbase that has been drained of confidence throughout 2024. After an embarrassing loss (again) to Wigan, and ahead of a trip to league leaders Wycombe, the statement from the Sharon Brittan provides a comprehensive, if unpopular, answer on Evatt’s future.

Sharon Brittan has backed Evatt through countless experiences since he took over in 2020. Not many owners would have kept faith in a manager who was 20th in League Two well over halfway into a season. Their personal relationship is obviously incredibly tight, but she must do what is right for the football club.

I’ve not sat in the board meetings, and I don’t know the thickness of the tightrope on which Ian Evatt sits after the loss to Wigan. The decision to back him isn’t shocking, but it is not one that I would have made at this point in time. I’ve pulled together that behind closed doors, the board want to maintain the stability of having Evatt in charge before re-assessing in the summer. If Wanderers go up, he stays. If not, it’s over.

More than nine points over the next five (tough) games would provide a return of more points from the first 23 games of this season (currently on 30 after 18) than the last 23 of the previous campaign (39 from 23). Not a welcome statistic, nor one that a club of Bolton’s size should be settling for in the third tier of English football.

However, this is the reality, and a rational choice. I don’t agree with the decision that has been made, especially with the array of possible candidates who could have taken on this role. But now, without the ambiguity of the manager’s position, I will support Bolton every week hoping for a turnaround and run of form that I have seen before under this regime.

Carlos Mendes Gomes’s much anticipated recovery in less than a fortnight being combined with injury returns for Josh Sheehan, Eoin Toal, Kyle Dempsey and Chris Forino provides Evatt with possibilities to change up tactics and personnel as is necessary.

Evatt is quite clearly on thin ice, and he must now know that this public show of loyalty will not last the summer if the club is not in the Championship. But my support for Bolton will greatly outlast any manager that has been or will be here. It’s been hard to keep the faith, but it’s quite clear that’s the message that has been proposed for the next six months.

The board have backed the unpopular decision. Now it is time to see if it was the right one.

Christmas football, hold the stuffings

By Chris McKeown

The games come thick and fast over Christmas (Image: CameraSport - Alex Dodd)

So last week didn’t go to plan...

I genuinely believed that (for the first time in some while) BWFC would do the business in what’s currently the highest profile derby game we have. The build up, the interviews, the feel good factor all seemed to be in place and ready to put the poor run of results against Wigan, to an end.

All was fine, until the first whistle blew.

Straight from the off we looked vulnerable, and I don’t think it took long for the Tics to smell blood and our supporters to realise this could be an all too familiar story against our neighbours. Sadly for our fans, who turned up in vast numbers once more, the day ended up with many leaving the stadium (some way before the final whistle) with dejected faces.

The aftermath and post match interviews posed more questions than answers with the quotes from players and manager alike. I don’t think anyone expected a magic wand to be waved and all to be made right, but the comments didn’t do anything to alleviate the mood of the day.

Personally, I think our support is and continues to be excellent, but it’s down to the players and Ian to solve the problems on the pitch, inject belief and boost the pride of the loyal fans.

Yes, there are sometimes those who overstep the mark, and there’s no place for that. But in the main, I truly believe it’s genuine concern that breeds any negativity from the supporters, regarding the future and how (or if) we can reach the bar needed to play Championship football.

If Evatt is thinking this is a mentality issue rather than an ability problem, then - given the ‘vote of confidence’ received from Sharon this week - the January window becomes absolutely vital and we may see some major moves, both in and out.

Results are the be all and end all - the proof will be in the pudding. Currently, we have bums on seats. Keeping them there (and adding to them) is certainly part of the task at hand.

So many times the team have wasted the chance to re-ignite the dreams and let the moral of the fanbase drop. However, another chance awaits with two home games over the festive period, (we will know the Wycombe outcome by the time this is available to read!) and another opportunity to put smiles on faces once more.

So let's keep everything crossed and hope that this Christmas, the only stuffing we receive, is served with the Turkey dinner!